Jaldi Five with Ashish Soni, Newly elected president of FDCI’s board of governors
You’re filling the shoes of Ritu Kumar — what does it feel like?
It’s true that it’s my first time as the board president but if you’re looking for an answer like ‘I’m really nervous’, you’re not going to get it. But yes, I’m honoured to have been given this role and I realise that there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with it.
Speaking of responsibility, what are your rights and duties as the board president?
To be very honest, it’s still a bit early for me to tell you exactly what my role is. But I will have this casting vote at board meetings, which is an additional vote that I’m entitled to, besides my vote as a member. It’s primarily used in cases of a tie in the votes. As far as responsibilities go, I’ll be working towards promoting fashion at all levels — right from conducting workshops to taking up new promotional and marketing initiatives.
What are your priorities?
For starters, my goal is to make the upcoming WIFW the best fashion week ever. I mean, Ritu (Kumar) has done a great job all this while and I want to pick up the reins from where she left it. In fact, the idea is to take it to the next level by promoting talent in the industry as a whole.
What do you have to say about FDCI’s code of conduct which discourages designers from participating in ‘rival ’ fashion weeks?
The FDCI is all for promoting one and all in the fashion industry. We are not interested in a monopoly; there’s no rule or code of conduct that’s against a designer doing good business. So if a designer wants to participate in another fashion week to do more business, we have no problems whatsoever.
Will your new role interfere with your own work as a designer?
It could, but I guess I have to make time for both! It’s not impossible, I can tell you that. So let’s see how it goes because the board may stay for three years, my role as a president will be evaluated after a year! Of course, I will give it my best shot.
Vidya Prabhu
